One seldom sees a racecard without any maiden events with eight handicap races making up the card on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday.
All are lower division handicaps so things could get tricky for punters.
In the first, most of the runners met in the race won by Trafalgar Square where Big Slick finished best of all in second with apprentice Brevan Plaatjies aboard and he has the ride again for Yogas Govender. However, he has drawn widest at 11 which could prove tricky. Purple Powahouse is a veteran who is holding form well and meets Big Slick on 1.5kg better terms for a 1.5 length beating and should be able to turn the tables. Heaven’s Will carries top weight after his recent maiden win. He looks progressive and can follow up in this company. Phaka Imali has some lengths to find on Big Slick and Purple Powerhouse but he now has a much better draw while High Velocity is 11kg better off with Big Slick and can make it count.
In the second, Morgan La Fay is back a furlong in trip but has been showing solid form over 1400m. Richard Fourie partnered her to her last win and is again aboard Wendy Whitehead’s charge. Berengaria makes her local debut and comes off some steady Highveld form over the trip. She has a handy galloping weight which could see her home. Acacia’s Blossom is never far off them and comes from a very much in form Louis Goosen stable while Warship steps up in trip and was badly in need of her latest start after a six-month lay-off. She is quick and should improve on her last effort.
In a tough opener for the Pick 6, Donquerari is long overdue after being close up in his last four starts. He goes well over course and distance and has a strong chance in an open handicap. Now I Got You has the worst of the draw but ran a cracker first up for Nathan Kotzen. He makes his poly debut but a repeat effort should see him close again. Cotton Ron, like his stable companion Donquerari, has been knocking at the door of late, his recent form in the soft. He goes well on the poly and with a light weight cannot be left out of any calculations. Mr Henley has improved with cheek pieces and was not far off last run. He goes well on the poly.
The three-year-olds Master Fuego and Ancient World could fight the fourth. Both got rating increases after their last outings, Ancient World winning and Master Fuego finishing runner-up. Both have consistent form over course and distance and they meet at level weights so it could all be down to luck in running. Red William was right up behind Master Fuego after making his local debut. He had some useful PE form on the poly and should feature with a repeat showing. Madison Valley is the dark horse. He shed his maiden at only his third start, improving all the while. He enjoyed the step up in distance and can go in again. Captain Casey is the highest rated. He needed his last run and at best will be a big threat.
In the fifth, Purple Operator may just have needed his last run. Duncan Howells has booked 2.5kg claimer Jame Lihaba to replace Richard Fourie and the claim could make all the difference. Fourie partners Cupid’s Song for Tony Rivalland but the gelding has not been out since November last year which is a concern. Jochua Hotsnake has his third run after a lay-off. He is both course and distance suited and looks primed for a big effort. One Irish Rover has come good in his last two on the poly for MJ Odendaal. He is up in class here but is course and distance suited.
Midnight Caller could be one of the better bets on the card. He was close-up to stronger last time out and goes well over course and distance. Weiho Marwing has booked 4kg claimer Brevan Plaatjies and from the best of the draw they can go all the way. Hippocrates steps up a furlong in trip after showing consistent form over shorter. He is back on his favoured surface and should run well in this company. Eddie The Mover has top weight and was a close-up third to stronger last time out. Robert Khathi has gone close on him before. Giambattista has been a soldier for the Wendy Whitehead yard and is never far off the pace. He won well over course and distance last time out but is up in class with a three-point rise in the handicap.
In the seventh, Alittlebitnaughty has not been far behind at recent starts and goes well over course and distance. She is 1.5kg better off with Quanabi on their last meeting and the latter has the widest draw. She does however, have useful form over course and distance and with Fourie in the irons must have a strong chance again. Kitten’s Adventure has steady form to stronger and has done well over course and distance. She has drawn well and can feature prominently. Green Dream made sudden improvement last run when touched off over course and distance and has a chance on a repeat showing.
In the last, Drive By has the worst of the draw but has been knocking on the door of late. She was close-up over course and distance last time out and should have a big say in this event. Hatta is always dangerous and took on stronger last time out. She is back on what looks to be her favourite surface. Kingsmeads Krystl has the best of the draw and was a good second over course and distance last time out. A repeat with Fourie up should see her in the money. Poursomesugaronme landed the odds last time out but got a four-point rise in the handicap. However, she meets a modest field here and can go in again.
